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Housing committee proposes duplexes and parking changes after neighborhood outreach and survey
Summary
The Planning Commission’s new standing housing committee reported progress on exploring small multifamily allowances (duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes) in R-1 and R-2 zones, parking-code amendments and outreach to neighborhood associations; staff noted an online survey is open through the end of the month.
The Planning Commission’s housing committee reported Feb. 17 that it is vetting regulatory changes to allow small multifamily housing (duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes) in single-family neighborhoods as either permitted or conditional uses and pursuing parking-code amendments and developer outreach to encourage affordable housing construction.
Committee chair reported the group has met with the Citizens Advisory Council, College Hill Neighborhood Association, North Topeka East NIA and has a meeting scheduled with the Highcrest NIA. Committee members said feedback ranged from opposition concerned about introducing rental units into owner-occupied neighborhoods to support in some neighborhoods; overall responses varied by neighborhood.
The committee and staff are also conducting public outreach via an online survey. Dan (Planning staff) said the survey has had strong turnout and that staff planned to keep it open “the rest of this month,” extending an earlier target close date; staff said they would summarize responses for future commission discussion. Dan also summarized recurring input: a preference for new builds over converting existing houses, a need to pair any code changes with stronger code enforcement, and encouragement to make alleys an option for access where they exist.
Commissioners discussed parking reform work that staff is pursuing citywide, including proposed reductions to residential parking requirements to lower development costs, and the committee’s plan to reach out to multifamily developers who build affordable housing elsewhere in Kansas to learn why they may not build in Topeka.
No formal action was taken; the report was informational and the committee will continue outreach and drafting code amendments. Staff said the Land Use and Growth Management Plan update will be discussed in March, and there are no action cases on the March agenda.
